Running attracts all sorts – some people take it up competitively, others do it for the social aspect and some people just fall into and get hooked.
Mark Hibbard went along to his first Lawson Parkrun in February to “get healthy” and has never looked back.
While he considered himself a regular bushwalker, the prospect of a 5km run was another matter entirely. His first attempt was a 45-minute run/walk and now he’s broken the 30-minute barrier.
The 42-year-old from Hazelbrook has lost 20kg since committing to the Saturday morning 5km run around Lawson’s bush trails.
He was concerned when he first joined the free, volunteer-run event that he would be taking part in a competitive running race.
“It’s the furthest thing from a race that you can get. It’s a group of people that get together. Some people are walking as slowly as they do and some people are running at extremely high speeds. I was made to feel welcome and accommodated,” Mr Hibbard said.
Some people are walking as slowly as they do and some people are running at extremely high speeds. I was made to feel welcome and accommodated.
- Mark Hibbard
Helping him to stay motivated each week was Josiah Bamber. The 18-year-old, who has Down syndrome, had been training for the 14km City to Surf in August, raising $5000 for Down Syndrome NSW. Mr Hibbard was part of the team that ran with Josiah in August.
Now he’s gotten a taste for running, Mr Hibbard plans to run his first half marathon next year and a full marathon the year after.
This Gazette reporter decided to give the 5km trail a go and was made to feel very welcome by the other Parkrun participants. There was a challenging hill to get the heart racing and a delightful creek with stepping stones to cross. The well-marked course with helpful volunteers and encouraging participants made for an uplifting start to the weekend.
Parkrun started in 2004 in London. Parkrun events are held weekly in several countries, with global registrations at more than one million.
Lawson Parkrun celebrates its first birthday on January 2. The 5km event is held every Saturday at 8am and attracts about 80 runners.
For more information visit: www.parkrun.com.au/lawson/